HARO vs Qwoted: Which PR Tool is Better for Backlinks & SEO?
- Bridget and Lydia
- May 6
- 3 min read
If you're a founder or small business owner trying to build organic SEO authority and get featured in the media—without spending thousands on ads—you’ve probably heard of HARO (Help A Reporter Out) and Qwoted.
But which one is actually better for high-quality backlinks, press mentions, and media exposure?
We break it all down in this video below and this blog:
🧠 What You’ll Learn:
How HARO and Qwoted work for PR & SEO
Pros and cons of each platform
Which one gets you better backlinks & higher domain authority
How to pitch journalists effectively
The secret to using BOTH tools together for maximum visibility
🧠 What You’ll Learn:
How HARO and Qwoted work for PR & SEO
Pros and cons of each platform
Which one gets you better backlinks & higher domain authority
How to pitch journalists effectively
The secret to using BOTH tools together for maximum visibility
🚀 What is Qwoted?
Qwoted is a newer platform that connects journalists and sources in a more streamlined way. Think of it like a PR inbox and social networking platform combined...and it's SO user-friendly. Bonus point there.
You set up a profile and respond directly to media requests
Journalists can also search for and message you directly
You can track pitches, get alerts, and even submit press releases
💡 Best For:Experts who want a more organized, filterable system—and to build relationships with journalists.
⚖️ HARO vs Qwoted: Pros & Cons
Feature | HARO | Qwoted |
Cost | Free | Free + Premium Options |
Ease of Use | Email-based | Email, Dashboard + Filters |
Journalist Quality | High (lots of Tier 1 media) | High + niche outlets |
Backlink Potential | Strong | Moderate to Strong |
Time to Pitch | Fast turnaround required | More flexibility |
📈 Which One Gets You Better Backlinks?
If your primary goal is domain authority and backlinks, HARO still has the edge due to the volume of high-tier media outlets. But Qwoted is quickly catching up—and it's easier to use consistently, especially if you're managing your own PR. Qwoted is great for in-house teams managing their own PR and narrative, and in our opinion is way more user-friendly so we prefer it.
Pro Tip: You don’t have to choose just one.Use HARO for volume and backlinks, and Qwoted for relationships and strategic targeting.
✍️ How to Answer So You Actually Get Featured
Both platforms rely on one thing: a great answer/response. Here's how to stand out:
ANSWER to the journalist’s ask
Lead with your most credible “hook” or insight
Keep it short, skimmable, and quote-ready
Add social proof (your title, past press, etc.)
Be human—no copy-paste vibes! And seriously Qwoted has some top notch AI software, so beware!
Need help writing your first pitch? We will write it FOR YOU!🎯
Personalized PR Plan for a pitch and plan created for YOU.
💡 Final Thoughts: HARO or Qwoted?
You don’t need a publicist or $5K/month agency to start building backlinks and brand authority. Tools like HARO and Qwoted make media exposure more accessible than ever.
Here’s our take:
Use HARO if you have the time to sort through emails and are a good fit for responses
Use Qwoted for relationship-building and press strategy and a simpler to use platforms
Use both if you’re serious about visibility
Ready to get started?
🔗 Create a free Qwoted profile 🔗 Subscribe to HARO (it's free!)
And don’t forget to watch the full breakdown above 👆
💬 P.S. Want Help Getting Featured?
We teach founders and product brands how to get into top-tier outlets like Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Forbes, and more—without hiring a publicist.
Are you the iconic, the modest or the charisma?
Take our 2 minute media personality quiz to find out your publicity superpower.
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